So ... in the end of the first half of the novel. We discover that Diana is a Saintess. The first in over hundreds of years. And like in most fantasy settings, her Saintess powers give her special eyes that see the truth of things.
Then shortly (like almost immediately after that) they find out Ria is the long lost daughter of Diana's father's friend who lost their daughter 9 years ago. (That he mentioned while looking for Diana in earlier chapters.)